Gujarat tyre pyrolysis approval marks a turning point in India’s effort to regulate end-of-life tyre recycling through safer, continuous pyrolysis technologies that minimize emissions.

The Government of the western Indian state of Gujarat, through the State Pollution Control Board (PCB), has officially permitted the establishment of continuous pyrolysis plants for tyre recycling in the state.

These facilities will be permitted to produce tyre pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black.

Tyre Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) units have been associated with significant environmental and public health concerns. Consequently, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has thus far not permitted the establishment or operation of such industries within the State of Gujarat.

“This approval comes after almost 13 years of a blanket ban imposed by GPCB on this process, making it a landmark moment for the industry,” informed Chetan Joshi, President, Tyre and Rubber Recyclers Association of India (TRRAI).

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), published Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) dated 16^th January 2024 and has provided a detailed siting criteria, safety protocols, area requirements, environmental norms, and monitoring mechanisms, etc. for TPO (Tyre Pyrolysis Oil) units.

The guidelines acknowledge and distinguish between two primary technologies used for Tyre Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) production: the Advanced Batch Automated Process (ABAP) and the Continuous Process.

Although the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) permits the operation of both ABAP and continuous tyre pyrolysis plants, it is widely recognised that continuous pyrolysis plants offer significant advantages over ABAP systems. These advantages are particularly notable in terms of reduced pollution potential and enhanced operational safety, making the constant process a more environmentally sustainable and safer alternative for TPO production.

“It’s a huge step forward for the organised, sustainable growth of our sector in Gujarat,” believes Joshi.

To develop an environmentally sound and sustainable policy framework, a committee of experts was established on January 18, 2025, to ensure comprehensive and well-informed policy formulation. Chetan Joshi, President of TRRAI, was one of the experts.

Following thorough deliberations with the Expert Committee in mid-March and detailed consultations with experienced industry stakeholders on 25 March 2025, the following decisions have been made. These decisions are made with due diligence and guided by the precautionary principle to prioritise environmental protection and public safety.

“Importantly, the order specifies that only continuous plants with a minimum capacity of 60 TPD will be permitted. This indicates that only projects with sizeable investment and serious long-term commitment will be considered. There will be strict monitoring and enforcement, including the mandatory implementation of CPCB’s SOPs, ensuring that all operations adhere to best practices in health, safety, and emissions, benchmarked against global standards.”

SOP guidelines

As stipulated in CPCB SOP, only continuous type Tyre Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) units with a capacity of more than 60 TPD shall be permitted to be established and operated. The site is to be based on a minimum land area of 7,000 square meters.

The TPO produced shall be sold only to authorised oil manufacturing companies, as is being done for the biodiesel and pyrolysis of plastic waste.

The charcoal generated from the process shall be utilized either in co-processing in the cement industry or its quality upgraded to Recovered Carbon Black (RCB), which may be used as a raw material for the manufacturing of new tyres and other processes, or shall be disposed of at an authorized TSDF site.

Each operational TPO shall undergo an annual third-party audit conducted by a recognized environmental laboratory or institution.

This decision shall be reviewed after two years from the date of issuance of this order, based on environmental performance, compliance status, and any new regulatory directions or technical advancements.

Links to related articles on tyre recycling and pyrolysis technology:

• Tire Pyrolysis Technology
• Recovered Carbon Black
• Sustainable Tire Recycling in India
• Pyrolysis Explained

Supporting Clean Pyrolysis in Emerging Markets

With Gujarat’s approval of continuous tyre pyrolysis plants, India is taking a bold step toward cleaner, regulated recycling of end-of-life tires. This decision aligns with global sustainability goals and paves the way for green infrastructure investment.

Klean Industries offers proven, continuous pyrolysis solutions for governments and private operators worldwide. Our systems meet the highest environmental standards and deliver profitable outputs like recovered carbon black and fuel oil.

Get in touch today to bring the next-generation of tire recycling technology to your region » GO.